EP1066178B1 - Procede de detection capacitive d'objets dans les vehicules - Google Patents

Procede de detection capacitive d'objets dans les vehicules Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1066178B1
EP1066178B1 EP99942583A EP99942583A EP1066178B1 EP 1066178 B1 EP1066178 B1 EP 1066178B1 EP 99942583 A EP99942583 A EP 99942583A EP 99942583 A EP99942583 A EP 99942583A EP 1066178 B1 EP1066178 B1 EP 1066178B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrodes
electrode
screen
currents
voltages
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99942583A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1066178A1 (fr
Inventor
Lutz Eisenmann
Christian Marschner
Robert Griessbach
Yan Lu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Original Assignee
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG filed Critical Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Publication of EP1066178A1 publication Critical patent/EP1066178A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1066178B1 publication Critical patent/EP1066178B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
    • B60R21/01512—Passenger detection systems
    • B60R21/0153—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors
    • B60R21/01532—Passenger detection systems using field detection presence sensors using electric or capacitive field sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/242—Bus seats
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V3/00—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
    • G01V3/08—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices
    • G01V3/088—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices operating with electric fields
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B13/00—Taximeters
    • G07B13/02—Details; Accessories
    • G07B13/04—Details; Accessories for indicating fare or state of hire

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of the claim 1.
  • Methods for capacitive object detection in vehicles are from various publications, for example the US 4,796,013 known.
  • the two are usually plate-shaped electrodes arranged adjacent to the respective object.
  • the electrodes are in the upholstery of the seat and there, for example, in the seat or backrest section. The detection becomes here used to trigger safety devices such as airbags and the like only when the seat is actually occupied.
  • the capacitance of the capacitor thus formed is measured. In presence a person's capacitance changes due to the relatively good Conductivity of humans. However, it is problematic that the known Procedures based on vehicle mass. Through leakage currents ohmic or capacitive type, the capacity measurement is greatly distorted.
  • the invention has for its object a method of the aforementioned Art to create that with little equipment required an accurate statement the presence of an object provides.
  • the two electrodes are out of phase AC voltages operated.
  • the two electrode currents compensate each other.
  • the object is at least approximately at ground potential without it this requires insulation.
  • Leakage currents occur only slightly if at all Scope on. The result of this is that the method is based on the above The problem of leakage currents described is not, or at least not significantly being affected.
  • the total load of the object reduced to zero and leakage currents completely excluded. outgoing by matching the sum of the two capacitor currents to zero In the absence of an object, the sum is zero even when the Object set.
  • the measure specified in claim 3 enables the size of a Object to recognize.
  • the measure specified in claim 5 offers the possibility of To further improve detection of an object in terms of location and size.
  • patent claims 8 and 9 provide a diagnostic option created or enables the diagnosis to be carried out virtually continuously.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic circuit arrangement in connection with the constructive Shown embodiment of the invention.
  • Electrodes 2 and 3 are located in a schematically shown vehicle seat 1, each of which is supplied with alternating voltages V 1 and V 2 in opposite phases.
  • the alternating currents I 1 and I 2 resulting in the supply lines 4 and 5 are fed to a controller 6. This controls the two alternating currents I 1 and I 2 to an opposite value.
  • the total current I 1 + I 2 is therefore zero.
  • a current value of 3 mA at an AC voltage frequency between 10 and 150 kHz, preferably of 50 kHz, has proven to be expedient.
  • the ratio of the two alternating current resistances V 1 / I 1 and V 2 / I 2 provides information about the position of the measurement object, the sum of these two resistances enables a conclusion to be drawn about the size of the measurement object. In general it can be said that the closer the object is to the electrode and the larger it is, the smaller the AC resistance.
  • each electrode 2 and 3 consists of two sub-electrodes 2 1 and 2 2 or 3 1 and 3 2 .
  • each partial electrode is assigned a shield in the form of an electrically conductive plate 8, by means of which a directional effect is achieved towards the measurement object (cf. US Pat. No. 5,166,679 A).
  • the in-phase alternating voltages V 11 , V 12 , and the opposite-phase alternating voltages V 21 and V 22 are set so that the currents I 11 and I 12 on the one hand and the currents I 21 and I 22 on the other hand with and without an existing measurement object in each case in amounts are the same and opposed to each other in pairs.
  • the changes in the respective AC resistances in absolute terms and in relation to one another allow clear conclusions to be drawn about the size, current position and extent of an object. Safety devices, not shown, can thus be activated as required.
  • FIG. 3 shows a supplement to the invention with a diagnosis of the system.
  • Each of the subsystems shown in FIG. 2 with a sub-electrode 2 1 , 2 2 , 3 1 or 3 2 , a plate 8 and an AC voltage source V 11-22 is connected as shown.
  • the capacitance C soll between the partial electrode and the plate 8 isolated therefrom is determined for diagnostic purposes. If this capacity corresponds to a setpoint, the subsystem is OK.
  • This diagnosis is carried out for each subsystem individually and alternately with the object detection described.
  • the subsystems are diagnosed cyclically.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Procédé de détection capacitive d'objets dans des véhicules selon lequel on alimente deux électrodes de condensateur (2, 3) avec une tension alternative (V1, V2) et on perçoit la présence d'un objet (7) par une variation de la capacité d'un condensateur, selon lequel les deux électrodes (2, 3) font partie de condensateurs réalisés chaque fois en regard de la masse du véhicule et sont alimentées séparément par deux tensions alternatives (V1, V2) en opposition de phase,
    caractérisé en ce que
    les électrodes (2, 3) reçoivent séparément des tensions alternatives (V1, V2) pour que les courants alternatifs (I1, I2) qui en résultent dans les lignes d'alimentation (4, 5) des deux électrodes (2, 3) se compensent et pour cela ces courants alternatifs sont additionnés.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1,
    caractérisé en ce que
    les deux tensions alternatives (V1, V2) ont une amplitude réglée même en présence d'un objet (7) pour que la somme des deux courants alternatifs (I1, I2) soit égale à zéro.
  3. Procédé selon les revendications 1 ou 2,
    caractérisé en ce que
    la taille de l'objet (7) se détermine à partir de la somme des deux résistances de courants alternatifs (V1/I1, V2/I2).
  4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3,
    caractérisé en ce que
    la position de l'objet (7) se détermine à partir du rapport des résistances de courants alternatifs (V1/I1, V2/I2).
  5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
    caractérisé en ce qu'
    au moins une électrode (2, 3) est formée de deux électrodes partielles (21, 22, 31, 32) alimentées par des lignes séparées, en phase avec une tension alternative.
  6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5,
    caractérisé en ce que
    par un blindage électrique, on évite l'interaction électrique des électrodes vers l'objet (7) du côté opposé.
  7. Procédé selon la revendication 6,
    caractérisé en ce qu'
    on réalise le blindage par une plaque (8) conductrice électrique, parallele pour chaque électrode (2, 3).
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 6 ou 7,
    caractérisé en ce que
    pour le diagnostic des électrodes, du blindage et des lignes correspondantes formant des sous-systèmes, on protège la capacité entre l'électrode et l'écran.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 8,
    caractérisé en ce que
    le diagnostic est effectué en alternance avec la détection d'objet.
EP99942583A 1998-03-23 1999-02-20 Procede de detection capacitive d'objets dans les vehicules Expired - Lifetime EP1066178B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19812626 1998-03-23
DE19812626A DE19812626A1 (de) 1998-03-23 1998-03-23 Verfahren zur kapazitiven Objekterkennung bei Fahrzeugen
PCT/EP1999/001115 WO1999048727A1 (fr) 1998-03-23 1999-02-20 Procede de detection capacitive d'objets dans les vehicules

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1066178A1 EP1066178A1 (fr) 2001-01-10
EP1066178B1 true EP1066178B1 (fr) 2002-05-15

Family

ID=7861932

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99942583A Expired - Lifetime EP1066178B1 (fr) 1998-03-23 1999-02-20 Procede de detection capacitive d'objets dans les vehicules

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6335684B1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1066178B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP4054530B2 (fr)
DE (2) DE19812626A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2174638T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999048727A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6703845B2 (en) 2000-05-26 2004-03-09 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Occupant sensor

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6825765B2 (en) * 1998-12-30 2004-11-30 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Occupant detection system
DE50010501D1 (de) 1999-10-15 2005-07-14 Ifm Electronic Gmbh Näherungsschalter
DE10010531A1 (de) * 2000-03-03 2001-09-13 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Verfahren zur kapazitiven Objekterkennung bei Fahrzeugen
DE10010532A1 (de) * 2000-03-03 2001-09-13 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Verfahren zur kapazitiven Objekterkennung bei Fahrzeugen
US6552550B2 (en) * 2000-09-29 2003-04-22 Intelligent Mechatronic Systems, Inc. Vehicle occupant proximity sensor
US6609055B2 (en) 2001-10-31 2003-08-19 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Occupant detection system
FI20040044A0 (fi) * 2003-08-20 2004-01-15 Raimo Erik Sepponen Menetelmä ja laiteisto valvontaan
DE102004047906A1 (de) * 2004-09-29 2006-04-13 Daimlerchrysler Ag Steuervorrichtung für ein Insassenschutzmittel eines Kraftfahrzeuges
EP1870293A1 (fr) * 2006-06-19 2007-12-26 IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. Procédé d'opération d'un système de classification capacitif d'occupant
JP4609731B2 (ja) 2006-10-31 2011-01-12 株式会社デンソー 静電容量式乗員検知センサ
US7656169B2 (en) * 2007-02-06 2010-02-02 Iee International Electronics & Engineering S.A. Capacitive occupant detection system
FI125236B (fi) * 2008-02-28 2015-07-31 Maricare Oy Menetelmä ja järjestelmä informaation siirtoon
US8175774B2 (en) 2008-05-16 2012-05-08 Infineon Technologies Ag Capacitive object recognition using adjustable electrode
DE102009022685A1 (de) 2009-05-26 2010-12-02 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Audiosystem und Verfahren zur Beschallung von Insassen eines Fahrzeugs
JP4752956B2 (ja) * 2009-06-16 2011-08-17 株式会社デンソー 静電式乗員検知装置
JP4817027B2 (ja) * 2009-06-16 2011-11-16 株式会社デンソー 静電式乗員検知装置
US8570055B2 (en) * 2009-12-31 2013-10-29 Mapper Lithography Ip B.V. Capacitive sensing system
DE102011002447B4 (de) * 2011-01-04 2014-07-10 Ident Technology Ag Kapazitiver Annäherungsensor sowie Verfahren zur kapazitiven Annäherungsdetektion
DE102011002446A1 (de) 2011-01-04 2012-07-05 Ident Technology Ag Sensoreinrichtung und Verfahren zur kapazitiven Annäherungsdetektion
DE102017215864B3 (de) 2017-09-08 2019-03-07 Audi Ag Verfahren zum Regeln einer Sendeleistung für eine von einem Kraftfahrzeug ausgehende Funkverbindung, Regelvorrichtung für ein Kraftfahrzeug und Kraftfahrzeug mit Regelvorrichtung

Family Cites Families (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4796013A (en) * 1985-10-18 1989-01-03 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Capacitive occupancy detector apparatus
AT393040B (de) * 1988-03-03 1991-07-25 Setec Messgeraete Gmbh Kapazitiver naeherungsgeber
DE3815698A1 (de) * 1988-05-07 1989-11-16 Balluff Gebhard Feinmech Selbstpruefender, kapazitiver naeherungsschalter
DE4110936A1 (de) * 1991-04-02 1992-10-08 Megamos F & G Sicherheit Erkennung der belegung eines sitzes
USRE36772E (en) * 1991-06-06 2000-07-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Driven shielding capacitive proximity sensor
DE9111479U1 (fr) * 1991-09-14 1991-11-14 F + G Megamos Sicherheitselektronik Gmbh, 5250 Engelskirchen, De
JP3018700B2 (ja) * 1992-01-16 2000-03-13 アイシン精機株式会社 誘電体検出装置
JPH05297149A (ja) * 1992-04-23 1993-11-12 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd 誘電体検出装置
DE4238992C2 (de) * 1992-11-19 1996-03-21 Ifm Electronic Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum berührungslosen Nachweis der Annäherung eines Ansprechkörpers
US5363051A (en) * 1992-11-23 1994-11-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Steering capaciflector sensor
US5442347A (en) * 1993-01-25 1995-08-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrater, National Aeronautics & Space Administration Double-driven shield capacitive type proximity sensor
DE4322159A1 (de) * 1993-06-22 1995-01-05 Vos Verkehrs Optimierungs Syst Vorrichtung zur Erfassung der Anwesenheit von Personen auf Sitzen
JPH07140258A (ja) * 1993-11-19 1995-06-02 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd 便座用着座検出装置
US5525843A (en) * 1994-02-14 1996-06-11 Ab Volvo Seat occupant detection system
DE4409971C2 (de) * 1994-03-23 1996-01-18 Daimler Benz Ag Vorrichtung zur Erkennung eines auf dem Beifahrersitz eines Kraftfahrzeugs festgeschnallten Kindersitzes
DE4413840C2 (de) * 1994-04-21 1999-07-29 Retec Elektronische Regeltechn Vorrichtung zur berührungslosen Messung an einem Objekt
DE4417827C2 (de) * 1994-05-20 1996-04-04 Linde Ag Verfahren und Sensor zur Anwesenheitsdetektion von Personen
DE9414164U1 (de) * 1994-09-01 1994-11-17 Zabel Gmbh Sitzkontaktschalter
DE29500749U1 (de) * 1995-01-18 1996-05-15 Peters Rolf Sitzsensor und Vorrichtung mit einem Sitzsensor und einer Auswerteeinheit
US5832772A (en) * 1995-01-27 1998-11-10 The Regents Of The University Of California Micropower RF material proximity sensor
DE19605011A1 (de) * 1996-01-31 1997-08-28 Siemens Ag Überwachungseinrichtung
WO1997029391A1 (fr) * 1996-02-09 1997-08-14 Scandmec Ab Dispositif de detection de la presence d'un objet electro-conducteur
DE19617038C2 (de) * 1996-04-27 2000-11-30 Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh Schließsystem, insbesondere für Kraftfahrzeuge
JP2909961B2 (ja) * 1996-05-29 1999-06-23 アイシン精機株式会社 着座検知装置
SE9602176D0 (sv) * 1996-05-31 1996-05-31 Scandmec Ab Anordning vid avkänning av närvaro av ett elektriskt ledande objekt
DE19630769A1 (de) * 1996-07-31 1998-02-12 Hans Dr Kolb Innenraumschutz und Sitzbelegungserkennung für Fahrzeuge

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6703845B2 (en) 2000-05-26 2004-03-09 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Occupant sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP4054530B2 (ja) 2008-02-27
WO1999048727A1 (fr) 1999-09-30
EP1066178A1 (fr) 2001-01-10
US6335684B1 (en) 2002-01-01
DE19812626A1 (de) 1999-09-30
DE59901457D1 (de) 2002-06-20
JP2002507517A (ja) 2002-03-12
ES2174638T3 (es) 2002-11-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1066178B1 (fr) Procede de detection capacitive d'objets dans les vehicules
DE102008062653B4 (de) Elektrostatisches Sitzbelegungs-Detektionssystem
EP3171124B1 (fr) Procédé de fonctionnement d'un système de détection capacitif d'un véhicule automobile
DE102011005551B4 (de) Belegungserkennungsvorrichtung zum Erkennen einer Belegung eines Sitzplatzes eines Kraftfahrzeuges
DE102007051827B4 (de) Sitzbelegungs-Sensorsystem vom Kapazitätstyp
EP2962074B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de surveillance d'un niveau prédéterminé d'un milieu dans un récipient
DE19724168C1 (de) Vorrichtung zur Detektion der Anwesenheit eines Körpers in einem Detektionsbereich und eine solche Vorrichtung umfassende Heizvorrichtung
DE112012000943T5 (de) Kapazitives Insassenerkennungssystem
EP3227162B1 (fr) Système de capteurs pour volant, volant avec un tel système et procécé pour opérer un tel système
EP3053176B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de surveillance d'au moins un contact de commande pour un véhicule
DE112018000249T5 (de) Robustes, kostengünstiges kapazitives Messsystem
DE112017000507T5 (de) Kapazitive Sensorvorrichtung mit EMI-robuster kapazitiver Messschaltung
DE102019120136A1 (de) Kapazitive Sensorvorrichtung, Lenkrad mit einer kapazitiven Sensorvorrichtung, Verfahren zum Betrieb einer kapazitiven Sensorvorrichtung und/oder eines Lenkrads sowie Fahrzeug mit einer kapazitiven Sensorvorrichtung
DE112012002877T5 (de) Sitzheizung und kapazitiver Belegungssensor in Kombination
DE112008001068B4 (de) Kraftfahrzeug mit Insassenerkennungssystem
EP3373403B1 (fr) Coupe-circuit di et procédé de fonctionnement pour détecter une tension sur le conducteur pen
EP0993993B1 (fr) Procédé de reconnaisance capacitive d'object pour vehicules
EP3481696B1 (fr) Dispositif et procédé de chauffage d'un volant et de détection d'un contact avec le volant
DE112019005884T5 (de) Sensoranordnung zur kapazitiven Positionserfassung einer Hand an einem Lenkrad
DE102021124564B3 (de) Elektrischer Schaltungsaufbau für den alternierenden Heiz- und kapazitiven Messbetrieb und zugehöriges Verfahren
DE112022002103T5 (de) Kostengünstige, geschützte kapazitive Abfühlschaltung für einen Betrieb von Heizungselemente verwendenden kapazitiven Sensoren im Lademodus
DE112021005999T5 (de) Kostengünstige kapazitive Abfühlschaltung mit hoher Messgeschwindigkeit für den Betrieb von kapazitiven Sensoren im Lademodus
EP3802274B1 (fr) Procédé de reconnaissance d'un contact sur un dispositif de direction manuel, en particulier un volant de direction d'un véhicule, et dispositif permettant la mise en ouvre du procédé
DE102015216095B4 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung eines Systemzustandes eines elektronischen Messsystems
WO2019105646A1 (fr) Appareil de saisie tactile pour un véhicule et procédé de fonctionnement d'un tel appareil de saisie tactile

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000902

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT SE

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20011029

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59901457

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020620

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20020720

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2174638

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20030218

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20140218

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20150228

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20150120

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20150226

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20150226

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20150212

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 59901457

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150901

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: EUG

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20160220

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20161028

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160220

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160220

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160221